I was just checking out a forum on a book I'm reading and noticed quite a few complaints about the book being predictable, and it got me thinking - is that always a bad thing?

Of course, if it's a heavily plot-driven story, with nothing else to drive interest, you do not want to be able to guess what happens next. But I find that quite a lot of times, being able to predict what happens next feels very satisfying to me as a reader - it means that the author managed to structure their story well, and gave me enough clues to pick up, without making it too obvious.

In fact, I'd rather read a story that is predictable but still in some way impactful, than have a plot twist that is only there for shock value and doesn't actually add much (I have an example of this that I'm happy to share in the comments, don't want to just post the title here to avoid any type of spoiler for the book - let's just say I'm still annoyed by the plot twist, even though I think the book was great!)

What do you guys think? If a book doesn't have a plot twist that catches you off guard, does it impact how you feel about the book overall?

so i’ve realized that i struggle when books have long chapters, because once i start reading a chapter i feel obligated to finish it, and if it’s a long one that’s not always realistic. on my kindle it tells me how much time is left in the chapter, and it’s so discouraging when it says like “20 mins left in chapter”. i don’t know if it makes sense but i feel like i’m accomplishing more when i read a bunch of short chapters versus one long one. also, in my opinion long chapters sometimes feel run on, like they should actually be split into multiple shorter ones.

i’m curious to hear other people’s thoughts about chapter length, and maybe be convinced into liking long chapters 😁

hello fellow bookworms! while we clearly all enjoy reading now, did you enjoy reading as a kid for school? did you read all of the books assigned to you, or were you a sparknotes and prayer kind of person when it came to tests? what was your favorite and or least favorite book you read for school?

for me, i always read the books assigned in grade and high school because i liked reading and am a pretty fast reader. however i did read half of Frankenstein at 3 am in the bathroom the night before it was due when i was 13 (#ADHD). college was a bit of a different story, again thank you ADHD, but i at least tried to skim or read some of everything because i hated going to class unprepared. not sure if i could pick a favorite, but man do i remember hating Tuck Everlasting. couldn’t tell you why, but i think i dnf’d the last chapter out of spite.

love to all, thanks for all the fun discussions! 🥰🥰

I'm an Aussie gal looking for some new library cards to add to my Libby acc since I've noticed I've been having bad luck finding books on there lately. I'm looking for free libraries that don't require a residential address. Any recommendations or suggestions would be much appreciated! (Also, does anyone know if there's a card limit on Libby?)

Quick questions for anyone who knows - if you don't live in the US but need to supply an address, can you just use a random address for like a shopping centre or something, or will it detect that it's not a proper residential address? I feel icky using an actual address, but I'm trying to find ways around it.

The libraries I have cards for already: • Brisbane City Council Library Services - Brisbane only apply here • Ipswich Libraries - Free for Ipswich and QLD apply here • Redland City Library Service - Free to Redland City Council and QLD apply here • Gold Coast Libraries - Free for Gold Coast & QLD apply here • Queer Liberation Library - Free and accessible to everyone apply here (just tick the box saying you have a US address and you're golden, you don't have to supply one) • Toowoomba Region Libraries - Free to anyone with a QLD address apply here

Comment suggestions: • Literature Translation Institute of Korea - Free and accessible to everyone apply here • Books Unbanned program is attached to multiple libraries- Free but US only with 1 Canada library apply here • Connected Libraries - Free, Australian address required apply here • Yarra libraries- Free, Australian address required apply here